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UNIVERSITY  OF 
NORTH  CAROLINA 

School    of     Library 
Science 

OH 
/Moort- 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


00022092986 


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in  2011  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hil 


http://www.archive.org/details/marjoriesthreegiOalco 


w^~w~ 


"  Oh,  how  pretty 


MARJORIE'S    THREE 

GIFTS 


BY 


LOUISA  M.  ALCOTT 


AUTHOR    OF    "  LITTLE    WOMEy,"    "  LITTLE    MEN," 
"AN    OLD-FASHIONED    GIRL,"'    ETC. 


Illustrate* 


BOSTON 
LITTLE,  BROWN,  AND   COMPANY 


Copyright,  1877,  1S79, 
By  Louisa  M.  AlcotTc 

Copyright,  1899, 
By  John  S.  P.  Alcott. 


printers 
8.  J.  Parkhill  &  Co.,  Boston,  L'.  S.  A. 


x 


MARJORIE'S  THREE  GIFTS 

Mahjorie  sat  on  the  cloor-step,  shelling  peas, 
quite  unconscious  what  a  pretty  picture  she 
made,  with  the  roses  peeping  at  her  through 
the  lattice  work  of  the  porch,  the  wind  playing 
hide-and-seek  in  her  curly  hair,  while  the  sun- 
shine with  its  silent  magic  changed  her  faded 
gingham  to  a  golden  gown,  and  shimmered  on 
the  bright  tin  pan  as  if  it  were  a  silver  shield. 
Old  Rover  lay  at  her  feet,  the  white  kitten 
purred  on  her  shoulder,  and  friendly  robins 
hopped  about  her  in  the  grass,  chirping  "A 
happy  birthday,   Marjorie!" 

But  the  little  maid  neither  saw  nor  heard,  for 
her  eyes  were  fixed  on  the  green  pods,  and  her 
thoughts  were  far  away.  She  was  recalling  the 
fairy-tale  granny  told  her  last  night,  and  wish- 
ing with  all  her  heart  that  such  things  happened 
nowadays.  For  in  this  story,  as  a  poor  girl  like 
herself  sat  spinning  before  the  door,  a  Brownie 

l 


* 


MARJORIE' S   THREE   GIFTS 


came  by,  and  gave  the  child  a  good -luck  penny; 
then  a  fairy  passed,  and  left  a  talisman  which 
would  keep  her  always  happy ;  and  last  of  all, 
the  prince  rolled  up  in  his  chariot,  and  took 
her  away  to  reign  with  him  over  a  lovely  king- 
dom, as  a  reward  for  her  many  kindnesses  to 
others. 

When  Marjorie  imagined  this  part  of  the 
story,  it  was  impossible  to  help  giving  one  little 
sigh,  and  for  a  minute  she  forgot  her  work,  so 
busy  was  she  thinking  what  beautiful  presents 
she  would  give  to  all  the  poor  children  in  her 
realm  when  they  had  birthdays.  Five  impatient 
young  peas  took  this  opportunity  to  escape 
from  the  half-open  pod  in  her  hand  and  skip 
down  the  steps,  to  be  immediately  gobbled  up 
by  an  audacious  robin,  who  gave  thanks  in 
such  a  shrill  chirp  that  Marjorie  woke  up, 
laughed,  and  fell  to  work  again.  She  was 
just  finishing,  when  a  voice  called  out  from 
the  lane,  — 

"Hi,  there!  come  here  a  minute,  child!  "  and 
looking  up,  she  saw  a  little  old  man  in  a  queer 
little  carriage  drawn  by  a  fat  little  pony. 

Running  down  to  the  gate,  Marjorie  dropped 
a  curtsy,  saying  pleasantly,  — 

"  What  did  you  wish,  sir  ?  " 


MARJORIES   THREE   GIFTS 


"Just  undo  that  check-rein  for  me.  I  am 
lame,  and  Jack  wants  to  drink  at  your  brook," 
answered  the  old  man,  nodding  at  her  till  his 
spectacles  danced  on  his  nose. 

Marjorie  was  rather  afraid  of  the  fat  pony, 
who  tossed  his  head,  wdiisked  his  tail,  and 
stamped  his  feet  as  if  he  was  of  a  peppery  tem- 
per. But  she  liked  to  be  useful,  and  just  then 
felt  as  if  there  were  few  things  she  could  iwt 
do  if  she  tried,  because  it  was  her  birthday. 
So  she  proudly  let  down  the  rein,  and  when 
Jack  went  splashing  into  the  brook,  she  stood 
on  the  bridge,  waiting  to  check  him  up  again 
after  he  had  drunk  his  fill  of  the  clear,  cool 
water. 

The  old  gentleman  sat  in  his  place,  looking 
up  at  the  little  girl,  who  was  smiling  to  herself 
as  she  watched  the  blue  dragon-flies  dance 
among  the  ferns,  a  blackbird  tilt  on  the  alder- 
boughs,  and  listened  to  the  babble  of  the  brook. 

"How  old  are  you,  child?'  asked  the  old 
man,  as  if  he  rather  envied  the  rosy  creature 
her  youth  and  health. 

"  Twelve  to-day,  sir ; ' '  and  Marjorie  stood  up 
straight  and  tall,  as  if  mindful  of  her  years. 

"Had  any  presents?"  asked  the  old  man, 
peering  up  with  an  odd  smile. 


MARJORIE'S   THREE   GIFTS 


"One,  sir,  — here  it  is;  "  and  she  pulled  out 
of  her  pocket  a  tin  savings-bank  in  the  shape  of 
a  desirable  family  mansion,  painted  red,  with  a 
green  door  and  black  chimney.  Proudly  dis- 
playing it  on  the  rude  railing  of  the  bridge,  she 
added,  with  a  happy  face,  — 

"  Granny  gave  it  to  me,  and  all  the  money  in 
it  is  going  to  be  mine." 

"How  much  have  you  got?"  asked  the  old 
gentleman,  who  appeared  to  like  to  sit  there  in 
the  middle  of  the  brook,  while  Jack  bathed  his 
feet  and  leisurely  gurgled  and  sneezed. 

"Not  a  penny  yet,  but  I'm  going  to  earn 
some,"  answered  Marjorie,  patting  the  little 
bank  with  an  air  of  resolution  pretty  to  see. 

"How  will  you  do  it? "  continued  the  inquisi- 
tive old  man. 

"  Oh,  I  'm  going  to  pick  berries  and  dig  dan- 
delions, and  weed,  and  drive  cows,  and  do 
chores.  It  is  vacation,  and  I  can  work  all  the 
time,  and  earn  ever  so  much." 

"  But  vacation  is  play-time,  —  how  about 
that?" 

"Why,  that  sort  of  work  is  play,  and  I  get 
bits  of  fun  all  along.  I  always  have  a  good 
swing  when  I  go  for  the  cows,  and  pick  flowers 
with  the  dandelions.     Weeding  isn't  so  nice, 


MARJORIE'S   THREE   GIFTS 


but  berrying  is  very  pleasant,  and  we  have  good 
times  all  together." 

"  What  shall  you  do  with  your  money  when 
you  get  it  ?  " 

"  Oh,  lots  of  things !  Buy  books  and  clothes 
for  school,  and,  if  I  get  a  great  deal,  give 
some  to  granny.  I  'd  love  to  do  that,  for  she 
takes  care  of  me,  and  I  'd  be  so  proud  to  help 
her!" 

"  Good  little  lass ! '  said  the  old  gentleman, 
as  he  put  his  hand  in  his  pocket.  "  Would  you 
now  ?  "  he  added,  apparently  addressing  himself 
to  a  large  frog  who  sat  upon  a  stone,  looking  so 
wise  and  grandfatherly  that  it  really  did  seem 
quite  proper  to  consult  him.  At  all  events,  he 
gave  his  opinion  in  the  most  decided  manner, 
for,  with  a  loud  croak,  he  turned  an  undigni- 
fied somersault  into  the  brook,  splashing  up 
the  water  at  a  great  rate.  "  Well,  perhaps  it 
would  n't  be  best  on  the  whole.  Industry  is  a 
good  teacher,  and  money  cannot  buy  happiness, 
as  I  know  to  my  sorrow." 

The  old  gentleman  still  seemed  to  be  talking 
to  the  frog,  and  as  he  spoke  he  took  his  hand 
out  of  his  pocket  with  less  in  it  than  he  had  at 
first  intended. 

"  What  a  very  queer  person ! '    thought  Mar- 


MARJORIE'S   THREE   GIFTS 


jorie,  for  she  had  not  heard  a  word,  and  won- 
dered what  he  was  thinking  abont  down  there. ) 

Jack  walked  ont  of  the  brook  just  then,  and 
she  ran  to  check  him  up ;  not  an  easy  task  for 
little  hands,  as  he  preferred  to  nibble  the  grass 
on  the  bank.  But  she  did  it  cleverly,  smoothed 
the  ruffled  mane,  and,  dropping  another  curtsy, 
stood  aside  to  let  the  little  carriage  pass. 

"  Thank  you,  child  —  thank  you.  Here  is 
something  for  your  bank,  and  good  luck  to 
it." 

As  he  spoke,  the  old  man  laid  a  bright  gold 
dollar  in  her  hand,  patted  the  rosy  cheek,  and 
vanished  in  a  cloud  of  dust,  leaving  Marjorie  so 
astonished  at  the  grandeur  of  the  gift,  that  she 
stood  looking  at  it  as  if  it  had  been  a  fortune. 
It  was  to  her ;  and  visions  of  pink  calico  gowns, 
new  grammars,  and  fresh  hat-ribbons  danced 
through  her  head  in  delightful  confusion,  as 
her  eyes  rested  on  the  shining  coin  in  her 
palm. 

Then,  with  a  solemn  air,  she  invested  her  first 
money  by  popping  it  down  the  chimney  of  the 
scarlet  mansion,  and  peeping  in  with  one  eye  to 
see  if  it  landed  safely  on  the  ground-floor.  This 
dor?,  she  took  a  long  breath,  and  looked  over 
the  railing,  to  be  sure  it  was  not  all  a  dream. 


MARJORIE'S   THREE   GIFTS 


No ;  the  wheel  marks  were  still  there,  the  brown 
water  was  not  yet  clear,  and,  if  a  witness  was 
needed,  there  sat  the  big  frog  again,  looking  so 
like  the  old  gentleman,  with  his  bottle-green 
coat^ .  speckled  trousers,  and  twinkling  eyes, 
that  Marjorie  burst  out  laughing,  and  clapped 
her  hands,  saying  aloud,  — 

"I'll  play  he  was  the  Brownie,  and  this  is 
the  good-luck  penny  he  gave  me.  Oh,  what 
fun!"  and  away  she  skipped,  rattling  the  dear 
new  bank  like  a  Castanet. 

When  she  had  told  granny  all  about  it,  she 
got  knife  and  basket,  and  went  out  to  dig  dan- 
delions; for  the  desire  to  increase  her  fortune 
was  so  strong,  she  could  not  rest  a  minute. 
Up  and  down  she  went,  so  busily  peering  and 
digging,  that  she  never  lifted  up  her  eyes  till 
something  like  a  great  white  bird  skimmed  by 
so  low  she  could  not  help  seeing  it.  A  pleasant 
laugh  sounded  behind  her  as  she  started  up, 
and,  looking  round,  she  nearly  sat  down  again 
in  sheer  surprise,  for  there  close  by  was  a  slender 
little  lady,  comfortably  established  under  a  big 
umbrella. 

"If  there  were  any  fairies,  I'd  be  sure  that 
was  one,"  thought  Marjorie,  staring  with  all 
her  might,  for  her  mind  was  still  full  of  the  old 


8  MARJORIE' S   THREE   GIFTS 

story;  and  curious  things  do  happen  on  birth- 
days, as  every  one  knows. 

It  really  did  seem  rather  elfish  to  look  up 
suddenly  and  see  a  lovely  lady  all  in  white, 
with  shining  hair  and  a  wand  in  her  hand,  sit- 
ting under  what  looked  very  like  a  large  yellow 
mushroom  in  the  middle  of  a  meadow,  where,  till 
now,  nothing  but  cows  and  grasshoppers  had  been 
seen.  Before  Mar jorie  could  decide  the  question, 
the  pleasant  laugh  came  again,  and  the  stranger 
said,  pointing  to  the  white  thing  that  was  still 
fluttering  over  the  grass  like  a  little  cloud,  — 

"  Would  you  kindly  catch  my  hat  for  me,  be- 
fore it  blows  quite  away?" 

Down  went  basket  and  knife,  and  away  ran 
Marjorie,  entirely  satisfied  now  that  there  was 
no  magic  about  the  new-comer;  for  if  she  had 
been  an  elf,  could  n't  she  have  got  her  hat  with- 
out any  help  from  a  mortal  child  ?  Presently, 
however,  it  did  begin  to  seem  as  if  that  hat  was 
bewitched,  for  it  led  the  nimble-footed  Marjorie 
such  a  chase  that  the  cows  stopped  feeding  to 
look  on  in  placid  wonder;  the  grasshoppers 
vainly  tried  to  keep  up,  and  every  ox-eye  daisy 
did  its  best  to  catch  the  runawa}^,  but  failed 
entirely,  for  the  wind  liked  a  game  of  romps, 
and   had    it   that   day.     As  she  ran,    Marjorie 


MARJORIE' S   THREE   GIFTS 


heard  the  lady  singing,  like  the  princess  in  the 

story  of  the  Goose-Girl,  — 

"  Blow,  breezes,  blow  ! 
Let  Curdkin's  hat  go ! 
Blow,  breezes,  blow  ! 
Let  him  after  it  go ! 
O'er  hills,  dales  and  rocks, 

Away  be  it  whirled, 
Till  the  silvery  locks 

Are  all  combed  and  curled." 

This  made  her  laugh  so  that  she  tumbled  into  a 
clover-bed,  and  lay  there  a  minute  to  get  her 
breath.  Just  then,  as  if  the  playful  wind  re- 
pented of  its  frolic,  the  long  veil  fastened  to 
the  hat  caught  in  a  blackberry -vine  near  by,  and 
held  the  truant  fast  till  Marjorie  secured  it. 

"Now  come  and  see  what  I  am  doing,"  said 
the  lady,  when  she  had  thanked  the  child. 

Marjorie  drew  near  confidingly,  and  looked 
down  at  the  wide-spread  book  before  her.  She 
gave  a  start,  and  laughed  out  with  surprise  and 
delight;  for  there  was  a  lovely  picture  of  her 
own  little  home,  and  her  own  little  self  on  the 
door-step,  all  so  delicate,  and  beautiful,  and 
true,  it  seemed  as  if  done  by  magic. 

"Oh,  how  pretty!  There  is  Rover,  and 
Kitty  and  the  robins,  and  me !  How  could  you 
ever  do  it,  ma'am  ?  "  said  Marjorie,  with  a  won- 


10  MARJOIUE'S   THREE   GIFTS 

dering  glance  at  the  long  paint-brush,  which 
had  wrought  what  seemed  a  miracle  to  her 
childish  eyes. 

"I'll  show  you  presently;  but  tell  me,  first, 
if  it  looks  quite  right  and  natural  to  you.  Chil- 
dren sometimes  spy  out  faults  that  no  one  else 
can  see,"  answered  the  lady,  evidently  pleased 
with  the  artless  praise  her  work  received. 

"It  looks  just  like  our  house,  only  more 
beautiful.  Perhaps  that  is  because  I  know 
how  shabby  it  really  is.  That  moss  looks 
lovely  on  the  shingles,  but  the  roof  leaks.  The 
porch  is  broken,  only  the  roses  hide  the  place ; 
and  my  gown  is  all  faded,  though  it  once  was 
as  bright  as  3tou  have  made  it.  I  wish  the 
house  and  everything  would  stay  pretty  forever, 
as  they  will  in  the  picture." 

While  Marjorie  spoke,  the  lady  had  been  add- 
ing more  color  to  the  sketch,  and  when  she 
looked  up,  something  warmer  and  brighter  than 
sunshine  shone  in  her  face,  as  she  said,  so 
cheerily,  it  was  like  a  bird's  song  to  hear 
her,  — 

"It  can't  be  summer  always,  dear,  but  we 
can  make  fair  weather  for  ourselves  if  we  try. 
The  moss,  the  roses,  and  soft  shadows  show  the 
little  house  and  the  little  girl  at  their  best,  and 


MARJORIE' S   THREE   GIFTS  \\ 

that  is  what  we  all  should  do ;  for  it  is  amazing 
how  lovely  common  things  become,  if  one  only 
knows  how  to  look  at  them." 

"I  wish  /  did,"  said  Marjorie,  half  to  herself, 
remembering  how  often  she  was  discontented, 
and  how  hard  it  was  to  get  on,  sometimes. 

"So  do  I,"  said  the  lady,  in  her  happy  voice. 
"Just  believe  that  there  is  a  sunny  side  to 
everything,  and  try  to  find  it,  and  you  will  be 
surprised  to  see  how  bright  the  world  will  seem, 
and  how  cheerful  you  will  be  able  to  keep  your 
little  self." 

"  I  guess  granny  has  found  that  out,  for  she 
never  frets.  I  do,  but  I  'm  going  to  stop  it, 
because  I  'm  twelve  to-day,  and  that  is  too  old 
for  such  things,"  said  Marjorie,  recollecting  the 
good  resolutions  she  had  made  that  morning 
when  she  woke. 

"I  am  twice  twelve,  and  not  entirely  cured 
yet;  but  I  try,  and  don't  mean  to  wear  blue 
spectacles  if  I  can  help  it,"  answered  the  lady, 
laughing  so  blithely  that  Marjorie  was  sure  she 
would  not  have  to  try  much  longer.  "Birth- 
days were  made  for  presents,  and  I  should  like 
to  give  you  one.  Would  it  please  you  to  have 
this  little  picture  ?  "  she  added,  lifting  it  out  of 
the  book. 


12  MARJORIE 'S    THREE   GIFTS 

"Truly  my  own?  Oh,  yes,  indeed!"  cried 
Marjorie,  coloring  with  pleasure,  for  she  had 
never  owned  so  beautiful  a  thing  before. 

"Then  you  shall  have  it,  dear.  Hang  it 
where  you  can  see  it  often,  and  when  you  look, 
remember  that  it  is  the  sunny  side  of  home,  and 
help  to  keep  it  so." 

Marjorie  had  nothing  but  a  kiss  to  offer  by 
way  of  thanks,  as  the  lovely  sketch  was  put 
into  her  hand ;  but  the  giver  seemed  quite  satis- 
fied, for  it  was  a  very  grateful  little  kiss.  Then 
the  child  took  up  her  basket  and  went  away, 
not  dancing  and  singing  now,  but  slowly  and 
silently;  for  this  gift  made  her  thoughtful  as 
well  as  glad.  As  she  climbed  the  wall,  she 
looked  back  to  nod  good-by  to  the  pretty  lady ; 
but  the  meadow  was  empty,  and  all  she  saw 
was  the  grass  blowing  in  the  wind. 

"  Now,  deary,  run  out  and  play,  for  birthdays 
come  but  once  a  year,  and  we  must  make  them 
as  merry  as  we  can,"  said  grann}T,  as  she  settled 
herself  for  her  afternoon  nap,  when  the  Satur- 
day cleaning  was  all  done,  and  the  little  house 
as  neat  as  wax. 

So  Marjorie  put  on  a  white  apron  in  honor  of 
the  occasion,  and,  taking  Kitty  in  her  arms, 
went  out  to  enjoy  herself.     Three  swings  on 


"'It's  soldiers  ! '  she  said,  as  the  fife  and  drum  drew  nearer. 


MARJORIE  >S    THREE   GIFTS  13 

the  gate  seemed  to  be  a  good  way  of  beginning 
the  festivities ;  but  she  only  got  two,  for  when 
the  gate  creaked  back  the  second  time,  it  stayed 
shut,  and  Marjorie  hung  over  the  pickets,  ar- 
rested by  the  sound  of  music. 

"It's  soldiers, " she  said,  as  the  fife  and  drum 
drew  nearer,  and  flags  were  seen  waving  over 
the  barberry-bushes  at  the  corner. 

"No;  it 's  a  picnic,"  she  added  in  a  moment; 
for  she  saw  hats  with  wreaths  about  them  bob- 
bing up  and  down,  as  a  gayly-trimmed  hay- 
cart  full  of  children  came  rumbling  down  the 
lane. 

"  What  a  nice  time  they  are  going  to  have !  " 
thought  Marjorie,  sadly  contrasting  that  merry- 
making with  the  quiet  party  she  was  having  all 
by  herself. 

Suddenly  her  face  shone,  and  Kitty  was 
waved  over  her  head  like  a  banner,  as  she  flew 
out  of  the  gate,  crying,  rapturously,  — - 

"  It 's  Billy !  and  I  know  he 's  come  for 
me!" 

It  certainly  was  Billy,  proudly  driving  the 
old  horse,  and  beaming  at  his  little  friend  from 
the  bower  of  flags  and  chestnut-boughs,  where 
he  sat  in  state,  with  a  crown  of  daisies  on  his 
sailor-hat  and  a  spray  of  blooming  sweetbrier  in 


14  MARJORIE'S   THREE   GIFTS 

his  hand.  Waving  his  rustic  sceptre,  he  led 
off  the  shout  of  "  Happy  birthday,  Mar jorie !  " 
which  was  set  up  as  the  wagon  stopped  at  the 
gate,  and  the  green  boughs  suddenly  blossomed 
with  familiar  faces,  all  smiling  on  the  little 
damsel,  who  stood  in  the  lane  quite  overpow- 
ered with  delight. 

"It's  a  s'prise  party!'  cried  one  small  lad, 
tumbling  out  behind. 

"We  are  going  up  the  mountain  to  have 
fun !  "  added  a  chorus  of  voices,  as  a  dozen 
hands  beckoned  wildly. 

"We  got  it  up  on  purpose  for  you,  so  tie 
your  hat  and  come  away,"  said  a  pretty  girl, 
leaning  down  to  kiss  Mar  jorie,  who  had  dropped 
Kitty,  and  stood  ready  for  any  splendid  enter- 
prise. 

A  word  to  granny,  and  away  went  the  happy 
child,  sitting  up  beside  Billy,  under  the  flags 
that  waved  over  a  happier  load  than  any  royal 
chariot  ever  bore. 

It  would  be  vain  to  try  and  tell  all  the  plays 
and  pleasures  of  happy  children  on  a  Saturday 
afternoon,  but  we  may  briefly  say  that  Mar  jorie 
found  a  mossy  stone  all  ready  for  her  throne, 
and  Billy  crowned  her  with  a  garland  like  his 
own.     That   a   fine   banquet   was   spread,    and 


MARJORIE'S   THREE   GIFTS  15 

eaten  with  a  relish  many  a  Lord  Mayor's  feast 
has  lacked.  Then  how  the  whole  court  danced 
and  played  together  afterward!  The  lords 
climhed  trees  and  turned  somersaults,  the  ladies 
gathered  flowers  and  told  secrets  under  the 
sweetfern-hushes,  the  queen  lost  her  shoe  jump- 
ing over  the  waterfall,  and  the  king  paddled 
into  the  pool  below  and  rescued  it.  A  happy 
little  kingdom,  full  of  summer  sunshine,  inno- 
cent delights,  and  loyal  hearts;  for  love  ruled, 
and  the  only  Avar  that  disturbed  the  peaceful 
land  was  waged  by  the  mosquitoes  as  night 
came  on.  ; 

Marjorie  stood  on  her  throne  watching  the 
sunset  while  her  maids  of  honor  packed  up  the 
remains  of  the  banquet,  and  her  knights  pre- 
pared the  chariot.  All  the  sky  was  gold  and 
purple,  all  the  world  bathed  in  a  soft,  red  light, 
and  the  little  girl  was  very  happy  as  she  looked 
down  at  the  subjects  who  had  served  her  so 
faithfully  that  day. 

■  ■  Have  you  had  a  good  time,  Mar jy  ?  "  asked 
King  William ;  who  stood  below,  with  his  royal 
nose  on  a  level  with  her  majesty's  two  dusty 
little  shoes. 

"Oh,  Billy,  it  has  been  just  splendid!  But 
I  don't  see  why  you  should  all  be  so  kind  to 


16  MARJORIES    THREE    G1ETS 

me,"  answered  Marjorie,  with  such  a  look  of 
innocent  wonder,  that  Billy  laughed  to  see  it. 

"  Because  you  are  so  sweet  and  good,  we  can't 
help  loving  you,  — that's  why,"  he  said,  as  if 
this  simple  fact  was  reason  enough. 

"I  'm  going  to  be  the  best  girl  that  ever  was, 
and  love  everybody  in  the  world,"  cried  the 
child,  stretching  out  her  arms  as  if  ready,  in 
the  fulness  of  her  happy  heart,  to  embrace  all 
creation. 

"Don't  turn  into  an  angel  and  fly  away  just 
yet,  but  come  home,  or  granny  will  never  lend 
you  to  us  any  more." 

With  that,  Billy  jumped  her  down,  and  away 
they  ran,  to  ride  gayly  back  through  the  twi- 
light, singing  like  a  flock  of  nightingales. 

As  she  went  to  bed  that  night,  Marjorie 
looked  at  the  red  bank,  the  pretty  picture,  and 
the  daisy  crown,  saying  to  herself,  — 

"It  has  been  a  very  nice  birthday,  and  I  am 
something  like  the  girl  in  the  story,  after  all, 
for  the  old  man  gave  me  a  good-luck  penny,  the 
kind  lady  told  me  how  to  keep  happy,  and  Billy 
came  for  me  like  the  prince.  The  girl  didn't 
go  back  to  the  poor  house  again,  but  I  'm  glad 
/  did,  for  my  granny  is  n't  a  cross  one,  and  my 
little  home  is  the  dearest  in  the  world." 


MARJORIE'S   THREE   GIFTS  17 

Then  she  tied  her  night-cap,  said  her  prayers, 
and  fell  asleep ;  but  the  moon,  looking  in  to  kiss 
the  blooming  face  upon  the  pillow,  knew  that 
three  good  spirits  had  come  to  help  little  Mar- 
jorie  from  that  day  forth,  and  their  names  were 
Industry,  Cheerfulness,  and  Love. 


ROSES  AND   FORGET-ME-NOTS 

I 

ROSES 

It  was  a  cold  November  storm,  and  every- 
thing looked  forlorn.  Even  the  pert  sparrows 
were  draggle-tailed  and  too  much  out  of  spirits 
to  fight  for  crumbs  with  the  fat  pigeons  who 
tripped  through  the  mud  with  their  little  red 
boots  as  if  in  haste  to  get  back  to  their  cosy 

home  in  the  dove-cot. 

But  the  most  forlorn  creature  out  that  day 

was  a  small  errand  girl,  with  a  bonnet-box  on 

each  arm,  and  both  hands  struggling  to  hold  a 

big  broken  umbrella.     A  pair  of  worn-out  boots 

let  in  the  wet  upon  her  tired  feet;  a  thin  cotton 

dress  and  an  old  shawl   poorly  protected  her 

from  the  storm ;  and  a  faded  hood  covered  her 

head. 

The  face  that  looked  out  from  this  hood  was 

too  pale  and  anxious  for  one  so  young;   and 

when  a  sudden  gust  turned  the  old   umbrella 

inside  out  with  a  crash,  despair  fell  upon  poor 

Lizzie,  and  she  was  so  miserable  she  could  have 

sat  down  in  the  rain  and  cried. 


ROSES  AND  FORGET-ME-NOTS         19 

But  there  was  no  time  for  tears ;  so,  dragging 
the  dilapidated  umbrella  along,  she  spread  her 
shawl  over  the  bonnet-boxes  and  hurried  down 
the  broad  street,  eager  to  hide  her  misfortunes 
from  a  pretty  young  girl  who  stood  at  a  win- 
dow laughing  at  her. 

She  could  not  find  the  number  of  the  house 
where  one  of  the  fine  hats  was  to  be  left;  and 
after  hunting  all  down  one  side  of  the  street, 
she  crossed  over,  and  came  at  last  to  the  very 
house  where  the  pretty  girl  lived.  She  was  no 
longer  to  be  seen;  and,  with  a  sigh  of  relief, 
Lizzie  rang  the  bell,  and  was  told  to  wait  in 
the  hall  while  Miss  Belle  tried  the  hat  on. 

Glad  to  rest,  she  warmed  her  feet,  righted  her 
umbrella,  and  then  sat  looking  about  her  with 
eyes  quick  to  see  the  beauty  and  the  comfort 
that  made  the  place  so  homelike  and  delightful. 
A  small  waiting-room  opened  from  the  hall, 
and  in  it  stood  many  blooming  plants,  whose 
fragrance  attracted  Lizzie  as  irresistibly  as  if 
she  had  been  a  butterfly  or  bee. 

Slipping  in,  she  stood  enjoying  the  lovely 
colors,  sweet  odors,  and  delicate  shapes  of  these 
household  spirits;  for  Lizzie  loved  flowers  pas- 
sionately; and  just  then  they  possessed  a  pecu- 
liar charm  for  her. 


20  ROSES  AND  FORGET-ME-NOTS 

One  particularly  captivating  little  rose  won 
her  heart,  and  made  her  long  for  it  with  a  long- 
ing that  became  a  temptation  too  strong  to  re- 
sist. It  was  so  perfect;  so  like  a  rosy  face 
smiling  out  from  the  green  leaves,  that  Lizzie 
could  not  keep  her  hands  off  it,  and  having 
smelt,  touched,  and  kissed  it,  she  suddenly 
broke  the  stem  and  hid  it  in  her  pocket.  Then, 
frightened  at  what  she  had  done,  she  crept  back 
to  her  place  in  the  hall,  and  sat  there,  burdened 
with  remorse. 

A  servant  came  just  then  to  lead  her  upstairs ; 
for  Miss  Belle  wished  the  hat  altered,  and  must 
give  directions.  With  her  heart  in  a  flutter, 
and  pinker  roses  in  her  cheeks  than  the  one  in 
her  pocket,  Lizzie  followed  to  a  handsome  room, 
where  a  pretty  girl  stood  before  a  long  mirror 
with  the  hat  in  her  hand. 

"Tell  Madame  Tifany  that  I  don't  like  it 
at  all,  for  she  hasn't  put  in  the  blue  plume 
mamma  ordered;  and  I  won't  have  rose-buds, 
they  are  so  common,"  said  the  young  lady,  in 
a  dissatisfied  tone,  as  she  twirled  the  hat 
about. 

"Yes,  miss,"  was  all  Lizzie  could  say;  for  she 
considered  that  hat  the  loveliest  thing  a  girl 
could  possibly  own. 


ROSES  AND   FORGET-ME-NOTS         21 

"  You  had  better  ask  your  mamma  about  it, 
Miss  Belle,  before  you  give  any  orders.  She 
will  be  up  in  a  few  moments,  and  the  girl  can 
wait,"  put  in  a  maid,  who  was  sewing  in  the 
ante-room. 

"I  suppose  I  must;  but  I  won't  have  roses," 
answered  Belle,  crossly.  Then  she  glanced 
at  Lizzie,  and  said  more  gently,  "You  look 
very  cold;  come  and  sit  by  the  fire  while  you 
wait." 

"I'm  afraid  I'll  wet  the  pretty  rug,  miss* 
my  feet  are  sopping,"  said  Lizzie,  gratefully, 
but  timidly. 

"So  they  are!  Why  didn't  you  wear  rubber 
boots?" 

"I  haven't  got  any." 

"  I  '11  give  you  mine,  then,  for  I  hate  them  j 
and  as  I  never  go  out  in  wet  weather,  they  are 
of  no  earthly  use  to  me.  Marie,  bring  them 
here;  I  shall  be  glad  to  get  rid  of  them,  and 
I'm  sure  they'll  be  useful  to  you." 

"Oh,  thank  you,  miss!  I  'd  like  'em  ever  so 
much,  for  I  'm  out  in  the  rain  half  the  time, 
and  get  bad  colds  because  my  boots  are  old," 
said  Lizzie,  smiling  brightly  at  the  thought  of 
the  welcome  gift. 

"  I  should  think  your  mother  would  get  you 


22  MOSES  AND  FORGET-ME-NOTS 

warmer  things,'"  began  Belle,  who  found  some- 
thing rather  interesting  in  the  shabby  girl,  with 
shy  bright  eyes,  and  curly  hair  bursting  out  of 
the  old  hood. 

"I  haven't  got  any  mother,"  said  Lizzie, 
with  a  pathetic  glance  at  her  poor  clothes. 

"I  'm  so  sorry!  Have  you  brothers  and  sis- 
ters?' asked  Belle,  hoping  to  find  something 
pleasant  to  talk  about;  for  she  was  a  kind  little 
soul. 

"No,  miss;  I  've  got  no  folks  at  all." 

"Oh,  dear;  how  sad!  Why,  who  takes  care 
of  you  ?  "  cried  Belle,  looking  quite  distressed. 

"  No  one ;  I  take  care  of  myself.  I  work  for 
Madame,  and  she  pays  me  a  dollar  a  week.  I 
stay  with  Mrs.  Brown,  and  chore  round  to  pay 
for  my  keep.  My  dollar  don't  get  many  clothes, 
so  I  can't  be  as  neat  as  I  'd  like."  And  the  for 
lorn  look  came  back  to  poor  Lizzie's  face. 

Belle  said  nothing,  but  sat  among  the  sofa 
cushions,  where  she  had  thrown  herself,  look- 
ing soberly  at  this  other  girl,  no  older  than  she 
was,  who  took  care  of  herself  and  was  all  alone 
in  the  world.  It  was  a  new  idea  to  Belle,  who 
was  loved  and  petted  as  an  only  child  is  apt  to 
be.  She  often  saw  beggars  and  pitied  them, 
but  knew  very  little  about  their  wants  and  lives ; 


ROSES  AND   FORGET-ME-NOTS  23 

so  it  was  like  turning  a  new  page  in  her  happy 
life  to  be  brought  so  near  to  poverty  as  this 
chance  meeting  with  the  milliner's  girl. 

"Aren't  you  afraid  and  lonely  and  un- 
happy?" she  said,  slowly,  trying  to  understand 
and  put  herself  in  Lizzie's  place. 

"Yes;  but  it's  no  use.  I  can't  help  it,  and 
may  be  things  will  get  better  by  and  by,  and 
I  '11  have  my  wish,"  answered  Lizzie,  more 
hopefully,  because  Belle's  pity  warmed  her 
heart  and  made  her  troubles  seem  lighter. 

"  What  is  your  wish  ? '  asked  Belle,  hoping 
mamma  would  n't  come  just  yet,  for  she  was 
getting  interested  in  the  stranger. 

"  To  have  a  nice  little  room,  and  make  flowers, 
like  a  French  girl  I  know.  It 's  such  pretty 
work,  and  she  gets  lots  of  money,  for  every  one 
likes  her  flowers.  She  shows  me  how,  some- 
times, and  I  can  do  leaves  first-rate ;  but  —  " 

There  Lizzie  stopped  suddenly,  and  the  coloi 
rushed  up  to  her  forehead ;  for  she  remembered 
the  little  rose  in  her  pocket  and  it  weighed 
upon  her  conscience  like  a  stone. 

Before  Belle  could  ask  what  was  the  matter, 
Marie  came  in  with  a  tray  of  cake  and  fruit, 
saying: 

"  Here  's  your  lunch,  Miss  Belle." 


24         ROSES  AND  FORGET-ME-NOTS 

"  Put  it  clown,  please ;  I  'm  not  ready  for  it 

yet." 

And  Belle  shook  her  head  as  she  glanced  at 
Lizzie,  who  was  staring  hard  at  the  fire  with 
such  a  troubled  face  that  Belle  could  not  bear 
*to  see  it. 

Jumping  out  of  her  nest  of  cushions,  she 
heaped  a  plate  with  good  things,  and  going  to 
Lizzie,  offered  it,  saying,  with  a  gentle  cour- 
tesy that  made  the  act  doubly  sweet: 

"Please  have  some;  you  must  be  tired  of 
waiting." 

But  Lizzie  could  not  take  it;  she  could  only 
cover  her  face  and  cry ;  for  this  kindness  rent 
her  heart  and  made  the  stolen  flower  a  burden 
too  heavy  to  be  borne. 

"Oh,  don't  cry  so!  Are  you  sick?  Havel 
been  rude?  Tell  me  all  about  it;  and  if  I  can't 
do  anything,  mamma  can,"  said  Belle,  surprised 
and  troubled. 

"No;  I'm  not  sick;  I'm  bad,  and  I  can't 
bear  it  when  you  are  so  good  to  me,"  sobbed 
Lizzie,  quite  overcome  with  penitence ;  and  tak- 
ing out  the  crumpled  rose,  she  confessed  her 
fault  with  many  tears. 

"Don't  feel  so  much  about  such  a  little  thing 
as   that,"  began   Belle,   warmly;    then  checked 


ROSES  AND  FORGET-ME-NOTS  25 

herself,  and  added,  more  soberly,  "  It  ivas 
wrong  to  take  it  without  leave ;  but  it's  all 
right  now,  and  I'll  give  you  as  many  roses  as 
you  want,  for  I  know  you  are  a  good  girl." 

"Thank  you.  I  didn't  want  it  only  because 
it  was  pretty,  but  I  wanted  to  copy  it.  I  can't 
get  any  for  myself,  and  so  I  can't  do  my  make- 
believe  ones  well.  Madame  won't  even  lend 
me  the  old  ones  in  the  store,  and  Estelle  has 
none  to  spare  for  me,  because  I  can't  pay  her 
for  teaching  me.  She  gives  me  bits  of  muslin 
and  wire  and  things,  and  shows  me  now  and 
then.  But  I  know  if  I  had  a  real  flower  I  could 
copy  it ;  so  she'd  see  I  did  know  something,  for 
I  try  real  hard.  I'm  so  tired  of  slopping  round 
the  streets,  I'd  do  anything  to  earn  my  living 
some  other  way." 

Lizzie  had  poured  out  her  trouble  rapidly; 
and  the  little  story  was  quite  affecting  when 
one  saw  the  tears  on  her  cheeks,  the  poor 
clothes,  and  the  thin  hands  that  held  the  stolen 
rose.  Belle  was  much  touched,  and,  in  her 
impetuous  way,  set  about  mending  matters  as 
fast  as  possible. 

"  Put  on  those  boots  and  that  pair  of  dry 
stockings  right  away.  Then  tuck  as  much  cake 
and  fruit  into  your  pocket  as  it  will  hold.     I'm 


26  ROSES   AND  FORGET-ME-NOTS 

going  to  get  you  some  flowers,  and  see  if 
mamma  is  too  busy  to  attend  to  me." 

With  a  nod  and  a  smile,  Belle  flew  about  the 
room  a  minute;  then  vanished,  leaving  Lizzie 
to  her  comfortable  task,  feeling  as  if  fairies  still 
haunted  the  world  as  in  the  good  old  times. 

When  Belle  came  back  with  a  handful  of 
roses,  she  found  Lizzie  absorbed  in  admiring 
contemplation  of  her  new  boots,  as  she  ate 
sponge-cake  in  a  blissful  sort  of  waking-dream. 

"Mamma  can't  come;  but  I  don't  care  about 
the  hat.  It  will  do  very  well,  and  isn't  worth 
fussing  about.  There,  will  those  be  of  any  use 
to  you  ? '  And  she  offered  the  nosegay  with  a 
much  happier  face  than  the  one  Lizzie  first  saw. 

"Oh,  miss,  they're  just  lovely!  I'll  copy 
that  pink  rose  as  soon  as  ever  I  can,  and  when 
I  've  learned  how  to  do  'em  tip-top,  I  'd  like  to 
bring  you  some,  if  you  don't  mind,"  answered 
Lizzie,  smiling  all  over  her  face  as  she  buried 
her  nose  luxuriously  in  the  fragrant  mass. 

"I'd  like  it  very  much,  for  I  should  think 
you  'd  have  to  be  very  clever  to  make  such 
pretty  things.  I  really  quite  fancy  those  rose- 
buds in  my  hat,  now  I  know  that  you  're  going 
to  learn  how  to  make  them.  Put  an  orange  in 
your  pocket,  and  the  flowers  in  water  as  soon  r.i 


ROSES  AND  FORGET-ME-NOTS  27 

you  can,  so  they  '11  be  fresh  when  you  want 
them.  Good-by.  Bring  home  our  hats  every 
time  and  tell  me  how  you  get  on." 

With  kind  words  like  these,  Belle  dismissed 
Lizzie,  who  ran  downstairs,  feeling  as  rich  as 
if  she  had  found  a  fortune.  Away  to  the  next 
place  she  hurried,  anxious  to  get  her  errands 
done  and  the  precious  posy  safely  into  fresh 
water.  But  Mrs.  Turretville  was  not  at  home, 
and  the  bonnet  could  not  be  left  till  paid  for. 
So  Lizzie  turned  to  go  down  the  high  steps, 
glad  that  she  need  not  wait.  She  stopped  one 
instant  to  take  a  delicious  sniff  at  her  flowers, 
and  that  was  the  last  happy  moment  that  poor 
Lizzie  knew  for  many  weary  months. 

The  new  boots  were  large  for  her,  the  steps 
slippery  with  sleet,  and  down  went  the  little 
errand  girl,  from  top  to  bottom,  till  she  landed 
in  the  gutter  directly  upon  Mrs.  Turretville's 
costly  bonnet. 

"I've  saved  my  posies,  anyway,"  sighed 
Lizzie,  as  she  picked  herself  up,  bruised,  wet, 
and  faint  with  pain;  "but,  oh,  my  heart!  won't 
Madame  scold  when  she  sees  that  band-box 
smashed  flat,"  groaned  the  poor  child,  sitting 
on  the  curbstone  to  get  her  breath  and  view  the 
disaster. 


28  ROSES  AND  FORGET-ME-NOTS 

The  rain  poured,  the  wind  blew,  the  spar- 
rows on  the  park  railing  chirped  derisively,  and 
no  one  came  along  to  help  Lizzie  out  of  her 
troubles.  Slowly  she  gathered  up  her  burdens ; 
painfully  she  limped  away  in  the  big  boots ;  and 
the  last  the  naughty  sparrows  saw  of  her  was  a 
shabby  little  figure  going  round  the  corner,  with 
a  pale,  tearful  face  held  lovingly  over  the  bright 
bouquet  that  was  her  one  treasure  and  her  only 
comfort  in  the  moment  which  brought  to  her 
the  great  misfortune  of  her  life. 


"  *  I  am  dying  to  see  it,'  said  Belle,  dancing  about 
the  great  trunk." 


ROSES  AND  FORGET-ME-NOTS  29 


II 
FORGET-ME-NOTS 

"  Oh,  mamma,  I  am  so  relieved  that  the  box 
has  come  at  last!  If  it  had  not,  I  do  believe  I 
should  have  died  of  disappointment,"  cried 
pretty  Belle,  five  years  later,  on  the  morning 
before  her  eighteenth  birthday. 

"It  would  have  been  a  serious  disappoint- 
ment, darling ;  for  I  had  sot  my  heart  on  your 
wearing  my  gift  to-morrow  night,  and  when  the 
steamers  kept  coming  in  without  my  trunk  from 
Paris,  I  was  very  anxious.  I  hope  you  will 
like  it." 

"Dear  mamma,  I  know  I  shall  like  it;  your 
taste  is  so  good  and  you  know  what  suits  me  so 
well.  Make  haste,  Marie;  I'm  dying  to  see 
it,"  said  Belle,  dancing  about  the  great  trunk, 
as  the  maid  carefully  unfolded  tissue  papers  and 
muslin  wrappers. 

A  young  girl's  first  ball-dress  is  a  grand 
affair,  — in  her  eyes,  at  least;  and  Belle  soon 
stopped  dancing,  to  stand  with  clasped  hands, 
eager  eyes  and  parted  lips  before  the  snowy  pile 


30  ROSES  A  SI)  FORGET-ME-NOTS 

of  illusion  that  was  at  last  daintily  lifted 
out  upon  the  bed.  Then,  as  Marie  displayed 
its  loveliness,  little  cries  of  delight  were 
heard,  and  when  the  whole  delicate  dress  was 
arranged  to  the  best  effect  she  threw  herself 
upon  her  mother's  neck  and  actually  cried 
with  pleasure. 

"  Mamma,  it  is  too  lovely !  and  you  are  very 
kind  to  do  so  much  for  me.  How  shall  I  ever 
thank  you  ?  " 

"  By  putting  it  right  on  to  see  if  it  fits ;  and 
when  you  wear  it  look  your  happiest,  that  I 
may  be  proud  of  my  pretty  daughter/' 

Mamma  got  no  further,  for  Marie  uttered  a 
French  shriek,  wrung  her  hands,  and  then  be- 
gan to  burrow  wildly  in  the  trunk  and  among 
the  papers,  crying  distractedly: 

"Great  Heavens,  madamel  the  wreath  has 
been  forgotten!  What  an  affliction!  Made- 
moiselle's enchanting  toilette  is  destroyed  with- 
out the  wreath,  and  nowhere  do  I  find  it." 

In  vain  they  searched ;  in  vain  M arie  wailed 
and  Belle  declared  it  must  be  somewhere;  no 
wreath  appeared.  It  was  duly  set  down  in  the 
bill,  and  a  fine  sum  charged  for  a  head-dress  to 
match  the  dainty  forget-me-nots  that  looped  the 
^eecy  skirts  and  ornamented  the  bosom  of  the 


ROSES  AND   FORGET-ME-NOTS  31 

dress.  It  had  evidently  been  forgotten;  and 
mamma  despatched  Marie  at  once  to  try  and 
match  the  flowers,  for  Belle  would  not  hear  of 
any  other  decoration  for  her  beautiful  blonde 
hair. 

The  dress  fitted  to  a  charm,  and  was  pro- 
nounced by  all  beholders  the  loveliest  thing  ever 
seen.  Nothing  was  wanted  but  the  wreath  to 
make  it  quite  perfect,  and  when  Marie  returned, 
after  a  long  search,  with  no  forget-me-nots, 
Belle  was  in  despair. 

"Wear  natural  ones,"  suggested  a  sympathiz- 
ing friend. 

But  another  hunt  among  greenhouses  was  as 
fruitless  as  that  among  the  milliners'  rooms. 
No  forget-me-nots  could  be  found,  and  Marie 
fell  exhausted  into  a  chair,  desolated  at  what 
she  felt  to  be  an  awful  calamity. 

"Let  me  have  the  carriage,  and  I'll  ransack 
the  city  till  I  find  some,"  cried  Belle,  growing 
more  resolute  with  each  failure. 

Mamma  was  deep  in  preparations  for  the  ball, 
and  could  not  help  her  afflicted  daughter, 
though  she  was  much  disappointed  at  the  mis- 
hap. So  Belle  drove  off,  resolved  to  have  her 
flowers  whether  there  were  any  or  not. 

Any  one  who  has  ever  tried  to  match  a  rib- 


32  ROSES  AND   FORGET-ME-NOTS 

bon,  mid  a  certain  fabric,  or  get  anything  clone 
in  a  hurry,  knows  what  a  wearisome  task  it 
sometimes  is,  and  can  imagine  Belle's  state  of 
mind  after  repeated  disappointments.  She  was 
about  to  give  up  in  despair,  when  some  one 
suggested  that  perhaps  the  Frenchwoman. 
Es telle  Valnor,  might  make  the  desired  wreath, 
if  there  was  time. 

Away  drove  Belle,  and,  on  entering  the  room, 
gave  a  sigh  of  satisfaction,  for  a  whole  boxful 
of  the  loveliest  forget-me-nots  stood  upon  the 
table.  As  fast  as  possible,  she  told  her  tale 
and  demanded  the  flowers,  no  matter  what  the 
price  might  be.  Imagine  her  feelings  when 
the  Frenchwoman,  with  a  shrug,  announced 
that  it  was  impossible  to  give  mademoiselle 
a  single  spray.  All  were  engaged  to  trim  a 
bridesmaid's  dress,  and  must  be  sent  away  at 
once. 

It  really  was  too  bad !  and  Belle  lost  her  tem- 
per entirely,  for  no  persuasion  or  bribes  would 
win  a  spray  from  Estelle.  The  provoking  part 
of  it  was  that  the  wedding  would  not  come  off 
for  several  days,  and  there  was  time  enough  to 
make  more  flowers  for  that  dress,  since  Belle 
only  wanted  a  few  for  her  hair.  Neither  would 
Estelle  make  her  any,  as  her  hands  were  full, 


ROSES   AND  FORGET-ME-NOTS  33 

and  so  small  an  order  was  not  worth  deranging 
one's  self  for;  but  observing  Belle's  sorrowful 
face,  she  said,  affably: 

"  Mademoiselle  may,  perhaps,  find  the  flowers 
she  desires  at  Miss  Berton's.  She  has  been 
helping  me  with  these  garlands,  and  may  have 
some  left.     Here  is  her  address." 

Belle  took  the  card  with  thanks,  and  hurried 
away  with  a  last  hope  faintly  stirring  in  her 
girlish  heart,  for  Belle  had  an  unusually  ardent 
wish  to  look  her  best  at  this  party,  since  Some- 
body was  to  be  there,  and  Somebody  considered 
forget-me-nots  the  sweetest  flowers  in  the  world. 
Mamma  knew  this,  and  the  kiss  Belle  gave 
her  when  the  dress  came  had  a  more  tender 
meaning  than  gratified  vanity  or  daughterly 
love. 

Up  many  stairs  she  climbed,  and  came  at  last 
to  a  little  room,  very  poor  but  very  neat,  where, 
at  the  one  window,  sat  a  young  girl,  with 
crutches  by  her  side  and  her  lap  full  of  flower- 
leaves  and  petals.  She  rose  slowly  as  Belle 
came  in,  and  then  stood  looking  at  her,  with 
such  a  wistful  expression  in  her  shy,  bright 
eyes,  that  Belle's  anxious  face  cleared  in- 
voluntarily, and  her  voice  lost  its  impatient 
tone. 

3 


34  ROSES  AND  FORGET-ME-NOTS 

As  she  spoke,  she  glanced  about  the  room, 
hoping  to  see  some  blue  blossoms  awaiting  her. 
But  none  appeared;  and  she  was  about  to  de- 
spond again,  when  the  girl  said,  gently: 

"  I  have  none  by  me  now,  but  I  may  be  able 
to  find  you  some." 

"Thank  you  very  much;  but  I  have  been 
everywhere  in  vain.  Still,  if  you  do  get  any, 
please  send  them  to  me  as  soon  as  possible. 
Here  is  my  card." 

Miss  Berton  glanced  at  it,  then  cast  a  quick 
look  at  the  sweet,  anxious  face  before  her,  and 
smiled  so  brightly  that  Belle  smiled  also,  and 
asked,  wonderingly: 

"  What  is  it  ?     What  do  you  see  ?  " 

"  I  see  the  dear  young  lady  who  was  so  kind 
to  me  long  ago.  You  don't  remember  me,  and 
never  knew  my  name ;  but  I  never  have  forgot- 
ten you  all  these  years.  I  always  hoped  I  could 
do  something  to  show  how  grateful  I  was,  and 
now  I  can,  for  you  shall  have  your  flowers  if  I 
sit  up  all  night  to  make  them." 

But  Belle  still  shook  her  head  and  watched 
the  smiling  face  before  her  with  wondering  eyes, 
till  the  girl  added,  with  sudden  color  in  her 
cheeks : 

"  Ah,  you  've  done  so  many  kind  things  in 


ROSES  AND  FORGET-ME-NOTS  35 

your  life,  you  don't  remember  the  little  errand 
girl  from  Madame  Tifany's  who  stole  a  rose  in 
your  hall,  and  how  you  gave  her  rubber  boots 
and  cake  and  flowers,  and  were  so  good  to  her 
she  couldn't  forget  it  if  she  lived  to  be  a 
hundred." 

"But  you  are  so  changed,"  began  Belle,  who 
did  faintly  recollect  that  little  incident  in  her 
happy  life. 

"  Yes,  I  had  a  fall  and  hurt  myself  so  that  I 
shall  always  be  lame." 

And  Lizzie  went  on  to  tell  how  Madame  had 
dismissed  her  in  a  rage;  how  she  lay  ill  till 
Mrs.  Brown  sent  her  to  the  hospital;  and  how 
for  a  year  she  had  suffered  much  alone,  in  that 
great  house  of  pain,  before  one  of  the  kind  vis- 
itors had  befriended  her. 

While  hearing  the  story  of  the  five  years,  that 
had  been  so  full  of  pleasure,  ease  and  love  for 
herself,  Belle  forgot  her  errand,  and,  sitting 
beside  Lizzie,  listened  with  pitying  eyes  to  all 
she  told  of  her  endeavors  to  support  herself  by 
the  delicate  handiwork  she  loved. 

"I'm  very  happy  now,"  ended  Lizzie,  look- 
ing about  the  little  bare  room  with  a  face  full 
of  the  sweetest  content.  "I  get  nearly  work 
enough  to  pay  my  way,  and  Estelle  sends  me 


36  ROSES  AND  FORGET-ME-NOTS 

some  when  she  has  more  than  she  can  do.  I  've 
learned  to  do  it  nicely,  and  it  is  so  pleasant  to 
sit  here  and  make  flowers  instead  of  trudg- 
ing about  in  the  wet  with  other  people's 
hats.  Though  I  do  sometimes  wish  I  was 
able  to  trudge,  one  gets  on  so  slowly  with 
crutches." 

A  little  sigh  followed  the  words,  and  Belle 
put  her  own  plump  hand  on  the  delicate  one 
that  held  the  crutch,  saying,  in  her  cordial 
young  voice: 

"  I  '11  come  and  take  you  to  drive  sometimes, 
for  you  are  too  pale,  and  you  '11  get  ill  sitting 
here  at  work  day  after  day.  Please  let  me; 
I  'd  love  to;  for  I  feel  so  idle  and  wicked  when 
I  see  busy  people  like  you  that  I  reproach  my- 
self for  neglecting  my  duty  and  having  more 
than  my  share  of  happiness." 

Lizzie  thanked  her  with  a  look,  and  then 
said,  in  a  tone  of  interest  that  was  delightful 
to  hear: 

"  Tell  about  the  wreath  you  want ;  I  should 
so  love  to  do  it  for  you,  if  I  can." 

Belle  had  forgotten  all  about  it  in  listening 
to  this  sad  little  story  of  a  girl's  life.  Now  she 
felt  half  ashamed  to  talk  of  so  frivolous  a  mat- 
ter   till    she   remembered   that   it   would   help 


ROSES  AND  FORGET-ME-NOTS         37 

Lizzie;  and,  resolving  to  pay  for  it  as  never 
garland  was  paid  for  before,  she  entered  upon 
the  subject  with  renewed  interest. 

"  You  shall  have  the  flowers  in  time  for  your 
ball  to-morrow  night.  I  will  engage  to  make  a 
wreath  that  will  please  you,  only  it  may  take 
longer  than  I  think.  Don't  be  troubled  if  I 
don't  send  it  till  evening;  it  will  surely  come 
in  time.  I  can  work  fast,  and  this  will  be  the 
happiest  job  I  ever  did,"  said  Lizzie,  beginning 
to  lay  out  mysterious  little  tools  and  bend  deli- 
cate wires. 

"  You  are  altogether  too  grateful  for  the  little 
I  have  done.  It  makes  me  feel  ashamed  to 
think  I  did  not  find  you  out  before  and  do 
something  better  worth  thanks." 

"Ah,  it  wasn't  the  boots  or  the  cake  or  the 
roses,  dear  Miss  Belle.  It  was  the  kind  looks, 
the  gentle  words,  the  way  it  was  done,  that 
went  right  to  my  heart,  and  did  me  more  good 
than  a  million  of  money.  I  never  stole  a  pin 
after  that  dav,  for  the  little  rose  wouldn't  let 
me  forget  how  you  forgave  me  so  sweetly.  I 
sometimes  think  it  kept  me  from  greater  temp- 
tations, for  I  was  a  poor,  forlorn  child,  with  no 
one  to  keep  me  good." 

Pretty  Belle  looked  prettier  than  ever  as  she 


38  ROSES  AND  FORGET-ME-NOTS 

listened,  and  a  bright  tear  stood  in  either  eye 
like  a  drop  of  dew  on  a  blue  flower.  It  touched 
her  very  much  to  learn  that  her  little  act  of 
childish  charity  had  been  so  sweet  and  help- 
ful to  this  lonely  girl,  and  now  lived  so 
freshly  in  her  grateful  memory.  It  showed 
her,  suddenly,  how  precious  little  deeds  of 
love  and  sympathy  are;  how  strong  to  bless, 
how  easy  to  perform,  how  comfortable  to  re- 
call. Her  heart  was  very  full  and  tender  just 
then,  and  the  lesson  sunk  deep  into  it  never 
to  be  forgotten. 

She  sat  a  long  time  watching  flowers  bud 
and  blossom  under  Lizzie's  skilful  fingers,  and 
then  hurried  home  to  tell  all  her  glad  news  to 
mamma. 

If  the  next  clay  had  not  been  full  of  most 
delightfully  exciting  events,  Belle  might  have 
felt  some  anxiety  about  her  wreath,  for  hour 
after  hour  went  by  and  nothing  arrived  from 
Lizzie. 

Evening  came,  and  all  was  ready.  Belle  was 
dressed,  and  looked  so  lovely  that  mamma  de- 
clared she  needed  nothing  more.  But  Marie 
insisted  that  the  grand  effect  would  be  ruined 
without  the  garland  among  the  sunshiny  hair. 
Belle  had  time  now  to  be  anxious,  and  waited 


EOSES  AND  FORGET-ME-NOTS         39 

with  growing  impatience  for  the  finishing  touch 
to  her  charming  toilette. 

"  I  must  be  downstairs  to  receive,  and  can't 
wait  another  moment ;  so  put  in  the  blue  pom- 
pon and  let  me  go,"  she  said  at  last,  with  a 
sigh  of  disappointment,  for  the  desire  to  look 
beautiful  that  night  in  Somebody's  eyes  had  in- 
creased four-fold. 

With  a  tragic  gesture,  Marie  was  about  to 
adjust  the  pompon  when  the  quick  tap  of  a 
crutch  came  down  the  hall,  and  Lizzie  hurried 
in,  flushed  and  breathless,  but  smiling  happily 
as  she  uncovered  the  box  she  carried  with  a  look 
of  proud  satisfaction. 

A  general  "Ah!"  of  admiration  arose  as 
Belle,  mamma,  and  Marie  surveyed  the  lovely 
wreath  that  lay  before  them ;  and  when  it  was 
carefully  arranged  on  the  bright  head  that 
was  to  wear  it,  Belle  blushed  with  pleasure. 
Mamma  said:  "It  is  more  beautiful  than  any 
Paris  could  have  sent  us ; "  and  Marie  clasped 
her  hands  theatrically,  sighing,  with  her  head 
on  one  side: 

"  Truly,  yes ;  mademoiselle  is  now  adorable !  " 

"I  am  so  glad  you  like  it.  I  did  my  very 
best  and  worked  all  night,  but  I  had  to  beg 
one  spray  from  Estelle,  or,  with  all  my  haste, 


40  BOSES  AND   FORGET-ME-NOTS 

I  could  not  have  finished  in  time,'*  said 
Lizzie,  refreshing  her  weary  eyes  with  a  long, 
affectionate  gaze  at  the  pretty  figure  before 
her. 

A  fold  of  the  airy  skirt  was  caught  on  one 
of  the  blue  clusters,  and  Lizzie  knelt  down  to 
arrange  it  as  she  spoke.  Belle  leaned  toward 
her  and  said  softly:  "Money  alone  can't  pay 
you  for  this  kindness;  so  tell  me  how  I  can 
best  serve  you.  This  is  the  happiest  night  of 
my  life,  and  1  want  to  make  every  one  feel  glad 
also." 

"Then  don't  talk  of  paying  me,  but  promise 
that  I  may  make  the  flowers  you  wear  on  your 
wedding-day,"  whispered  Lizzie,  kissing  the 
kind  hand  held  out  to  help  her  rise,  for  on  it 
she  saw  a  brilliant  ring,  and  in  the  blooming, 
blushing  face  bent  over  her  she  read  the  tender 
little  story  that  Somebody  had  told  Belle  that 
day. 

"So  you  shall!  and  I  '11  keep  this  wreath  all 
my  life  for  your  sake,  dear,"  answered  Belle,  as 
her  full  heart  bubbled  over  with  pitying  affec- 
tion for  the  poor  girl  who  would  never  make  a 
bridal  garland  for  herself. 

Belle  kept  her  word,  even  when  she  was 
in  a  happy  home  of  her  own;  for  out  of  the 


"  For  on  it  she  saw  a  brilliant 


ring. 


ROSES  AND   FORGET-ME-NOTS         41 

dead  roses  bloomed  a  friendship  that  brightened 
Lizzie's  life;  and  long  after  the  blue  garland 
was  faded  Belle  remembered  the  helpful  little 
lesson  that  taught  her  to  read  the  faces  poverty 
touches  with  a  pathetic  eloquence,  which  says 
to  those  who  look,   "  Forget-me-not." 


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Girls  for  Girls. 

11.  NOT    QUITE    EIGHTEEN. 

12.  A    SHEAF   OF    STORIES. 

Not  even  Miss  Alcott  apprehends  child  nature  with  finer  sympathy,  or  pictures  its  nobler 
traits  with  more  skill.  —  Boston  Daily  Advertiser. 

THE  KATY  DID  SERIES.  Illustrated.  5  vols.  i2mo. 
Uniformly  bound,  in  box,  $6.25.  Separately,  $1.25  each,  as 
follows : 

1.  WHAT    KATY    DID.     A  Story. 

2.  WHAT  KATY  DID  AT  SCHOOL.    Being  more  about  ''What 

Katy  Did." 

3.  WHAT   KATY    DID    NEXT. 

4.  CLOVER. 

5.  IN   THE   HIGH   VALLEY. 

Susan  Coolidge  has  always  possessed  the  affection  of  her  young  readers,  for  it  seems  as  if 
she  had  the  happy  instinct  of  planning  stories  that  each  girl  would  like  to  act  out  in  reality. 
—  The  Critic. 


LITTLE,    BROWN,   &   COMPANY 

Publishers,   34  BEACON    STREET,   BOSTON,   MASS. 


Stories  of  War,  the  Sea,  Adventure, 
Discovery,  and  Inventions 

Collected  and  Edited  by 

EDWARD    EVERETT   HALE 

Author  of  "The  Man  Without  a  Country,"  etc. 
Stories  of  Wan     Told  by  Soldiers.    i6mo.    Cloth.    $1.00. 

These  stories  of  great  battles  of  the  Civil  War  told  by  soldiers  in- 
clude Bull  Run,  Forts  Henry  and  Donelson,  the  Peninsula  Campaign, 
Antietam,  Pittsburg  Landing,  Vicksburg,  Gettysburg,  Chicamauga, 
Chattanooga,  the  Wilderness  Campaign,  Sherman's  March,  and  the 
Siege  of  Richmond. 

Stories  of  the  Sea.   Told  by  Sailors.    i6mo.  Cloth.  $1.00. 

These  stories  of  great  voyages  told  by  sailors  include  Columbus' 
return,  the  Spanish  Armada,  the  voyages  of  Alexander  Selkirk  and 
Paul  Jones,  Nelson  at  Trafalgar,  and  a  chapter  on  shipwrecks. 

Stories  of  Adventure.   Told  by  Adventurers.   New  edition. 
Illustrated.      i2mo.     Cloth.     #1.25. 

This  new  edition  contains  vivid  accounts  of  the  adventures  of  Marco 
Polo,  Mandeville,  Cortez,  Coronando,  the  Jesuits,  Humboldt,  etc., 
illustrated  with  valuable  portraits  and  pictures. 

Stories  of  Discovery.    Told  by  Discoverers.    New  edition. 
Illustrated.      12010.     Cloth.     $1.25. 

These  stories  of  great  discoverers  told  by  discoverers  are  now  for 
the  first  time  illustrated.  Included  in  the  book  are  the  discoveries  of 
Columbus,  Da  Gama,  Magalhaens,  Drake,  Verrazzano,  Gilbert,  Gos- 
noll,  John  Smith,  Carteret,  Matavai,  etc.  Describes  the  search  for 
the  North  West  Passage. 

Stories  of  Invention.     Told  by  Inventors.     i6mo.     Cloth. 
Price,  $1.00. 

The  stories  of  great  inventors  told  by  inventors  include  the 
inventions  of  Archimedes,  Friar  Bacon,  Cellini,  Palissy,  Franklin, 
Edgeworth,  Watt,  Fulton,  Stephenson,  Whitney,  Nasmyth,  Bessemer, 
and  Goodyear.  Valuable  hints  are  given  as  to  using  reference  books 
and  doing  original  research. 

LITTLE,    BROWN,   AND    COMPANY,   Publishers 
34  BEACON   STREET,   BOSTON,  MASS. 


ANNA     CHAPIN     RAY'S 

"TEDDY" STORIES 


Miss  Ray's  work  draws  instant  comparison  with  the  best  of  Miss  Alcott's :  first, 
because  she  has  the  same  genuine  sympathy  with  boy  and  girl  life  ;  secondly, 
because  she  creates  real  characters,  individual  and  natural,  like  the  young  people 
one  knows,  actually  working  out  the  same  kind  of  problems  ;  and,  finally,  because 
her  style  of  writing  is  equally  unaffected  and  straightforward. — Christian  Register, 
Boston. 

TEDDY  :   HER    BOOK.      A  Story  of  Sweet  Sixteen 

Illustrated  by  Vesper  L.  George.     i2mo.     $1.50. 

This  bewitching  story  of  "Sweet  Sixteen,"  with  its  earnestness,  impetuosity, 
merry  pranks,  and  unconscious  love  for  her  hero,  has  the  same  spring-like  charm. — 
Kate  Sanborn. 

PHEBE:    HER    PROFESSION.      A  Sequel  to  "Teddy: 

Her  Book" 

Illustrated  by  Frank  T.  Merrill.     i2mo.     $1.50. 

This  is  one  of  the  few  books  written  for  young  people  in  which  there  is  to  be 
found  the  same  vigor  and  grace  that  one  demands  in  a  good  story  for  older  people. 
—  Worcester  Spy. 

TEDDY:    HER   DAUGHTER 

A  Sequel  to  "Teddy:  Her  Book,"  and  "  Phebe :  Her  Profession" 

Illustrated  by  J.  B.  Graff.     i2mo.     $1.50. 

It  is  a  human  story,  all  the  characters  breathing  life  and  activity. — Buffalo  Times. 

NATHALIE'S    CHUM 

Illustrated  by  Ellen  Bernard  Thompson.     i2mo.     $1.50. 

Nathalie  is  the  sort  of  a  young  girl  whom  other  girls  like  to  read  about. — Hartford 
Courant. 

URSULA'S  FRESHMAN.  A  Sequel  to  "Nathalie's  Chum" 
Illustrated  by  Harriet  Roosevelt  Richards.     i2mo.     $l-S°- 
The  best  of  a  series  already  the  best  of  its  kind.  —  Boston  Herald. 

NATHALIE'S  SISTER.  **%$?  t0  "  Ursula's  Fresh" 
Illustrated  by  Alice  Barber  Stephens.     i2mo.     $1.50. 

Peggy,  the  heroine,  is  a  most  original  little  lady  who  says  and  does  all  sorts  of 
interesting  things.  She  has  pluck  and  spirit,  and  a  temper,  but  she  is  very  lovable, 
and  girls  will  find  her  delightful  to  read  about. — Louisville  Evening  Post. 


LITTLE,  BROWN,  &  COMPANY,  Publishers 
34   BEACON   ST.,    BOSTON,   MASSACHUSETTS 


ANNA      CHAPIN      RAY'S 

"SIDNEY"    STORIES 


Having  completed  the  "  Teddy"  books,  which  delighted  and  continue  to  entertain 
thousands  of  readers,  Miss  Ray  in  her  new  "  Sidney  "  books  utilizes  new  scenes  and 
an  entirely  new  set  of  characters. 

Anna  Chapin  Ray  is  to  the  present  generation  of  youthful  readers  what  Louisa  M. 
Alcott  was  to  her  generation.  Her  stories  may  be  commended  for  their  straight- 
forward, simple  style,  their  clean  atmosphere,  and  their  uplifting  influence  on  the 
characters  of  all  who  peruse  them.  —  Boston  Transcript. 

— — «— ~— p^— —  «— ■j^^—'— ————»»— ■ 

SIDNEY:    HER   SUMMER   ON    THE 
ST.  LAWRENCE 

Illustrated  by  Alice  Barber  Stephens.     i2mo.     $1.50. 

Sidney  Stayre  is  another  of  this  author's  true,  helpful,  earnest  girl  characters.— 
Denver  Republican. 

JANET:  HER  WINTER  IN  QUEBEC 

Illustrated  by  Alice  Barber  Stephens.     i2mo.     $1.50. 

Gives  a  delightful  picture  of  Canadian  life  and  introduces  a  group  of  young  people 
who  are  bright  and  wholesome  and  good  to  read  about.  —  New  York  Globe. 

DAY:    HER   YEAR   IN    NEW   YORK 

Illustrated  by  Harriet  Roosevelt  Richards.     i2mo.     $1.50. 

The  third  volume  of  the  "  Sidney  Books,"  in  which  Phyllis,  Sidney's  younger 
sister,  develops  from  a  well-meaning  blunderer  into  an  affectionate,  tactful  character. 
—  The  Bookman,  New  York. 

SIDNEY  AT    COLLEGE 

Illustrated  by  Harriet  Roosevelt  Richards.     i2mo.     $1.50. 

The  heroine  is  a  freshman  at  Smith  College  and  the  story  reveals  the  social 
pleasures  and  the  sorrows  of  college  life.  — Boston  Transcript. 

JANET   AT    ODDS 

Illustrated  by  Harriet  Roosevelt  Richards.     i2mo.     $1.50. 

The  fifth  "Sidney"  story  tells  how  Janet  conducted  a  boarding  house  for  her 
friends  durinsr  a  summer  in  Quebec. 


'.5 


LITTLE,  BROWN,  &  COMPANY,  Publishers 
34   BEACON    STREET,  BOSTON,  MASS. 


Books  by  Katharine  Pyle 


THE  CHRISTMAS  ANGEL 

With  6  full-page  plates  and  14° 
decorative  headings,  etc.,  by 
the  Author.      12mo.     $1.25. 

A  CHARMING  story  of  Kris 
Kringle  and  the  Wonder  Coun- 
try where  all  the  toys  are  alive.  A 
little  girl  finds  a  door  in  a  tree,  and 
opening  it  with  a  tiny  key,  discovers 
that  it  leads  to  "Toyland."  In  this 
"Wonder-Country"  she  has  many 
adventures. 

A  really  delightful  Christmas 
book,  teeming  with  marvellous  ad- 
ventures.—  The  Outlook. 


AS   THE   GOOSE   FLIES 

Fully  Illustrated  by  the  Author.      12mo.     $1.25. 

A  pretty  fairy  story  of  a  little  girl  who,  on  the  back  of  a  great 
white  gander,  visits  Mother  Goose  land  and  fairy  land  and 
talks  and  plays  with  all  her  favorites  there. — Public  Opinion. 

IN  THE   GREEN  FOREST 

Fully  Illustrated  by  the  Author.     Small  4to.     $1.50. 

The  book  is  full  of  pretty,  delicate  fancies,  pleasingly  told, 
with  the  right  spirit  of  fairy  magic  and  mystery. — Philadelphia 
Telegraph. 

NANCY  TtUTLEDGE 

With  6  full-page  illustrations  by  the  Author.      12mo. 

$1.25. 

Nancy  is  a  dear  little  maid,  ■and  the  story  of  how  she  moved 
to  town  and  all  the  things  she  did  there  is  told  with  charm- 
ing simplicity.  —  Chicago  Record-Herald. 


Little,  Brown,  &  Co.,  Publishers 

34  Beacon  Street,  Boston 


Bright,  Lively,  and  Enjoyable 

"JOLLY  GOOD  TIMES" 

SERIES 

By  MARY  P.    WELLS  SMITH 


1.  Jolly  Good  Times;  or,         5.  Jolly  Good  Times  To-Day 

Child  Life  on  a  Farm  6.  A  Jolly  Good  Summer 

2.  Jolly  Good  Times  at  School  7.  The  Browns 

3.  Jolly  Good  Times  at  Hack-  8.  Their  Canoe  Trip 


matack 


4.  More  Good  Times  at  Hack-      Illustrated.  Cloth. 

matack  $1.25  each 

THESE  books  ("  Jolly  Good  Times,"  etc.)  give  the  best 
possible  picture  of  New  England  child  life  about 
seventy-five  years  ago. —  Miss  Hunt,  Supt.  Children's  Dept. 
Brooklyn  Public  Library. 

Allow  me  to  express,  unasked,  the  zest  and  satisfactiou 
with  which  I  read  "Jolly  Good  Times."  I  am  delighted 
that  the  joyous  country  life  of  New  England  is  painted  in 
its  true  colors  for  children. —  Col.  Thomas  "Wentworth 
Higginson. 

There  is  a  fine  fresh  flavor  of  country  life  in  what  Mrs. 
Smith  writes,  and  her  characters,  particularly  her  chil- 
dren, are  thoroughly  real  and  human. —  R.  H.  Stoddard  in 
New  York  Mail  and  Express. 

A  bit  of  real  literature  is  "  Jolly  Good  Times  at  Hack- 
matack."   It  has  all  the  vividness  of  actual  experience. — 

New  York  Tribune. 


LITTLE,    BROWN,   &  CO.,  Publishers 

34  BEACON  STREET,   BOSTON 


